A Novel Collaboratively Designed Robot to Assist Carers

Abstract

Abstract. This paper presents a co-design process and an assisted navigation strategy that enables a novel assistive robot, Smart Hoist, to aid carers transferring non-ambulatory residents. Smart Hoist was codesigned with residents and carers at IRT Woonona residential care facility to ensure that the device can coexist in the facility, while providing assistance to carers with the primary aim of reducing lower back injuries, and improving the safety of carers and patients during transfers. The Smart Hoist is equipped with simple interfaces to capture user intention in order to provide assisted manoeuvring. Using the RGB-D sensor attached to the device, we propose a method of generating a repulsive force that can be combined with the motion controller's output to allow for intuitive manoeuvring of the Smart Hoist, while negotiating with the environment. Extensive user trials were conducted on the premises of IRT Woonona residential care facility and feedback from end users confirm its intended purpose of intuitive behaviour, improved performance and ease of use.

Smart hoist: An assistive robot to aid carers

“…Feedback received from carers during the design stage and the user trials was extremely valuable in the development of the Smart Hoist. Most users were able to perform the complex manoeuvring tasks on their first attempt confirming that the device is easy and very intuitive to use [14].…”

“…This camera is useful when manoeuvring the hoist in confined spaces and avoiding objects which are commonly found under the beds of residents. Currently the RGB-D camera is also used in navigation assistance [14]. It is also planned to be used in future work related to autonomous navigation.…”